Electrical switch apparatus

ABSTRACT

An electrical switch apparatus is disclosed in which making and breaking of electrical contact is made through the sliding engagement of two contact members, one of which is mounted for limited movement normal to the axis of movement of the second contact member.

United States Patent 11113,567,875

[72] Inventors Richard E. Pen-in; 5 Ref r nces Cited g lam Tulsa okla- UNITED STATES PATENTS 2; Q g 30 1969 3,239,637 3/1966 Pierce 200/164 1 1 3,127,533 3/1964 Gardner 310/245 [45] Patented Mar. 2, 1971 Assignee Avco Corporation 3,341,671 9/1967 Anatev et a1. 200/16 Tulsa Okla 2,951,916 9/1960 Scheffer 200/16 1,907,688 5/1933 Von Henke 200/16 2,730,630 1/1956 Bruno 290/38 3,339,098 8/1967 Burrows et al 310/239 Primary ExaminerD. F. Duggan Assistant ExaminerB. A. Reynolds [54] ELECTRICAL SWITCH APPARATUS Attorneys-Charles M. Hogan and Eugene C. Goodale 4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs. [52] US. Cl. 200/ 16, ABSTRACT; An electrical switch apparatus is disclosed in 200/ which making and breaking of electrical contact is made [51] Int. Cl through the sliding engagement of two contact members, one [50] Field ofSearch 200/153, of which is mounted for limited movement normal to the axis of movement of the second contact member.

PATENTEDMAR 21971 SHEET 1 BF 2 INVENTORS.

RI H RD E. PERRIN BY LY A. HOPPER PATENTEMR 2m:

SHEET 2 BF 2 nhhhhhhllhlll INVENTORS. RICHARD E. PERRIN BY BILLY A. HOPPER 7 ATTORNEYS.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH APPARATUS BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION The present invention relates-to switches and more particularly to an electrical switch apparatus having great utility for high voltage and current contact systems.

In the past, it has been extremely difficult to provide efficient electrical contacts which have any substantial use life and versatility for utilization in high voltage and current systems. One problem which has hampered the use life of many contact assemblies is the high temperatures generated in these contacts which tends to reduce the effective use life of many of the switches. In addition, very often the contact points are very small such that wear and erosion of the points will occur.

As one example of the problems involved, in the mass spectrometry field, a difficult problernis the supplying of electrical energy to the filaments necessary for the ionization of the specimens. In the past it was necessary to supply the electrical energy to the filaments by making electrical connections to the filament through vacuum sealsin the back of the sample probe. Because of the high accelerating voltages used, large feed throughs and numerous vacuum seals were required. This also increased the sample probe diameter and the expense involved because large probescannot be conveniently handled without elaborate and expensive mechanical or electrical drive mechanisms.

Another approach that has been used was the permanent type of structure in which a filament hat or supporting structure was permanently secured in the vacuum'chamber and the electrical connections were made' through the use of attaching electrical leads to the filaments when the system is not evacuated. Hence, each time the sample on the filament must be changed, the vacuum must be opened to atmosphere, the electrical connections disengaged, the specimen changed and connections again made and the system evacuated. This takes numerous and valuable utilization time away from the system and is less versatile and efficient.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical switch apparatus which can be used in any high voltage and current system and will maintain an effective use life.

Another object is to provide an electrical switch apparatus which can efficiently be used at high operating temperatures and in high vacuum systems to provide a much safer and efficient electrical connection. 1

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION inserted relative to the support assembly such that sliding contact between the two contact members is made. No leads extend through the carrier probe. The contact carrier can necessarily be made much smaller which increases its versatility and reduces the cost of the overall system. Other details, used uses and advantages of this invention will be apparent as the following description of the exemplary embodiment thereof presented in the accompanying drawings proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings show a present exemplary embodiment of this invention in which:

FIG. 1 is an end view of the switch apparatus; and

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, illustrating the electrical switch apparatus in the operational position for providing electrical contact.

In one exemplary embodiment, an electrical switch apparatus is shown generally as 10. The switch herein described is discussed with particular reference for use in a high vacuum ion chamber of a mass spectrometer which is not shown. How ever, this invention is not limited to uses solely with a mass spectrometer but has utility in any high vacuum system or other electrical contact assemblies.

Examples of other electrical contact assemblies would include fail-safe ignition switches, i.e., electrical gear in aircraft; or any system in which a blind electrical connection is desired to be made, such as a connection to be made through a wall or an aperture.

In the electrical switch apparatus 10 of the present invention, a contact support assembly 12 includes a supporting ring or plate 14 which is mounted in the vacuum chamber by any suitable means. The plate 14 has an aperture 16 formed therethrough. A plurality of contact members l8al8f are mounted to the plate 14 with one end of each contact member extending into the aperture area. It is also seen that the axis of each contact member 18 is normal to the axis of the plate aperture.

As best seen in FIG. 2, each contact member 18 includes an outer casing 20 which defines a central stepped passageway or bore 22. An inner contact element 24 is slidably mounted in the passage 22 and biased outwardly or into the aperture area 16 by any resilient means such as spring 26. It is seen that the spring 26 at abuts against the stepped inner surface of passageway 22 at the one end and against the sliding member 24 at the other.

Apertures 28 and 30 are respectively formed through outer casing 20 and the sliding member 24. It is noted that the aperture 28 is of greater diameter than the aperture 30. An electrical lead or connector wire 32 extends through aperture 30 and is secured in contact 24 by any suitable means such as a set screw 34. Thus, with the lead 32 connected to member 24, the sliding movement of member 24 is limited to the amount of clearance between the lead 32 and the aperture 28 of casing 20. Lead 32 is connected to an external source of energy.

A specimen carrier or probe 36 is mounted in any suitable 'way for reciprocal movement through the aperture 16. The carrier 36 is coaxial with the axis of the aperture 16. Stationary contact members 38a-38f are secured to the outer surface of the contact carrier by any suitable means such as screws 40. A like number of contact members'38 as there are contact members 18 of the contact support assembly 12 are mounted on the contact carrier so that each stationary contact member cooperatively engages slidable contact member. Specimen carrier 36 has a groove or channel 42 formed thereon in which the contact members 38 are mounted. This facilitates for ease in construction of the contact elements 38 in that the sloping edge need not come to a point in order to insure ease for en gagement with the member 24. Carrier 36 is preferably a nonconducting ceramic element.

Contact carrier 36 also has mounted thereon suitable utilization means. In the illustrative embodiment herein described with reference to a mass spectrometer ion chamber, the utilization means is shown to be specimen filaments 44 and 46 and an ionization filament 48. Filaments 44, 46 and 48 each consist of two leg portions and 'an element connecting the leg portions. Each filament leg is respectively secured to a conducting member or rod 50a50f. Each of the conducting rods is connected to a corresponding stationary contact member by the screws 40. Hence, there is electrical continuity between each electrical lead 32 and each filament leg through the respective contacts 24 and 38, screws 40, and conducting rods 50. As an example, the filament 44 legs are respectively attached to rods 50:: and 50f which are respectively in electrical contact with stationary contacts 38c and 38f.

In operation, the carrier 36 is removed from the ion chamber and the necessary specimen is attached to the specimen filaments. The contact carrier is then inserted into the ion chamber and through the aperture 16 until the stationary contact elements 38a-38 f slidably engages biased contact members 18al8f. The inwardly biasing spring 26 insures that good electrical contact will be'maintained between elements 24 and 38 as long as the carrier 36 is in place. Upon completion of the analysis of the specimen, the carrier 36 is moved along the axis of the aperture 16 so that contact members 38 and 18 are again disengaged, thus breaking electrical connection between the electrical lead 32 and the contact carrier 36 utilization means.

Although the illustrative embodiment herein described is shown to have six contact members 18 mounted to the contact support assembly and six contact members mounted to the contact carrier, it is recognized that other combinations and numbers of contact elements may be utilized depending on the specific application of the electrical switch apparatus.

The contact carrier and contact ring assembly of the present invention eliminates the requirement of inserting high voltage contacts through the carrier member. The inwardly biased contact member insures good electrical contact and extends the life of the electrical contacts.

While a present exemplary embodiment of this invention has been illustrated and described, it will be recognized that this invention may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced by those skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. An electrical switch apparatus comprising:

a contact support plate having an aperture formed therethrough;

at least one resiliently biased contact member mounted on said plate, said resiliently biased contact member further comprising:

an outer casing mounted to said plate normal to the axis of the plate aperture, said casing having an aperture formed through one end normal to the axis thereof;

an inner contact element mounted within said outer casing for slidable movement relative to said outer casing, said inner contact element having an aperture therethrough normal to the axis thereof;

said inner contact element and outer casing being aligned to receive an electrical connector wire through the respective apertures to provide an electrical connection between an external electrical source and the inner contact element;

means for securing the electrical connector wire to said inner contact element;

a spring mounted in the outer casing for biasing one end of said inner contact element into the plate aperture area; and I p means for limiting the relative movement of said inner contact element;

a contact carrier mounted coaxial with the axis of said plate aperture for reciprocal movement through said plate aperture; and

at least one stationary contact member mounted on said contact carrier for sliding engagement with the resiliently biased contact member wherein electrical contact is made when the contact carrier-is inserted through said plate aperture such that the resiliently biased contact member and stationary contact member engage each other and electrical contact is broken when said contact carrier is removed from said plate aperture so as to disengage the resilientlybiased and stationary contact member.

2. An electrical switch as set forth in claim 1 in which the diameter of the aperture in the outer casing is greater than the diameter of the aperture in the inner contact element wherein slidable movement of said inner contact element is limited by the extent of movement of the electrical connector wire secured to the inner contact element within the diameter of the aperture of the outer casing.

3. An electrical switch ap aratuscomprising: a contact support plae having an aperture formed therethrough;

a plurality of contact members mounted adjacent said plate,

each of said contact members further comprising:

An outer casing mounted to said plate normal to the axis of the plate aperture, said outer casing having an aperture formed through one end normal to the axis thereof;

an inner contact element mounted within said outer casing for slidable movement relative to said outer casing, said inner contact element being formed with an aperture of lesser diameter than the outer casing aperture and normal to the axis of said contact element, said inner contact element and outer casing being aligned so that the respective apertures are coaxial for receiving an electrical connector wire therethrough providing an electrical connection between an external electrical source and said inner contact element;

resilient means mounted in said outer casing for biasing one end of said inner contact element into said plate aperture area; and

means for securing the electrical connector wire to said inner contact element wherein slidable movement of said inner contact element is limited by the extent of movement of the electrical connector wire secured to the inner contact element within the diameter of the aperture of said outer casing;

a contact carrier mounted coaxial with the axis of said plate aperture area for reciprocal movement through said plate aperture; and

a plurality of stationary contact members secured to said contact carrier for slidable engagement with the contact members mounted on said plate, each of said stationary contact members being positioned about the outer surface of the contact carrier for cooperative engagement with a corresponding contact member wherein electrical contact is made when the contact carrier is inserted through said plate aperture such that the respective plate and carrier contact members engage each other and electrical contact is broken when said carrier is removed from said plate aperture so as to disengage the respective contact members.

4. An electrical switch as set forth in claim 3 in which each outer casing is formed with an axial stepped bore therethrough, said inner contact member being slidably fitted in the large bore end, and in which said resilient means is a spring mounted in each bore to act at one end against the outer casing and at the other end against the inner contact member to urge the inner contact member outward. 

1. An electrical switch apparatus comprising: a contact support plate having an aperture formed therethrough; at least one resiliently biased contact member mounted on said plate, said resiliently biased contact member further comprising: an outer casing mounted to said plate normal to the axis of the plate aperture, said casing having an aperture formed through one end normal to the axis thereof; an inner contact element mounted within said outer casing for slidable movement relative to said outer casing, said inner contact element having an aperture therethrough normal to the axis thereof; said inner contact element and outer casing being aligned to receive an electrical connector wire through the respective apertures to provide an electrical connection between an external electrical source and the inner contact element; means for securing the electrical connector wire to said inner contact element; a spring mounted in the outer casing for biasing one end of said inner contact element into the plate aperture area; and means for limiting the relative movement of said inner contact element; a contact carrier mounted coaxial with the axis of said plate aperture for reciprocal movement through said plate aperture; and at least one stationary contact member mounted on said contact carrier for sliding engagement with the resiliently biased contact member wherein electrical contact is made when the contact carrier is inserted through said plate aperture such that the resiliently biased contact member and stationary contact member engage each other and electrical contact is broken when said contact carrier is removed from said plate aperture so as to disengage the resiliently biased and stationary contact member.
 2. An electrical switch as set forth in claim 1 in which the diameter of the aperture in the outer casing is greater than the diameter of the aperture in the inner contact element wherein slidable movement of said inner contact element is limited by the extent of movement of the electrical connector wire secured to the inner contact element within the diameter of the aperture of the outer casing.
 3. An electrical switch apparatus comprising: a contact support plate having an aperture formed therethrough; a plurality of contact members mounted adjacent said plate, each of said contact members further comprising: An outer casing mounted to said plate normal to the axis of the plate aperture, said outer casing having an aperture formed through one end normal to the axis thereof; an inner contact element mounted within said outer casing for slidable movement relative to said outer casing, said inner contact element being formed with an aperture of lesser diameter than the outer casing aperture and normal to the axis of said contact element, said inner contact element and outer casing being aligned so that the respective apertures are coaxial for receiving an electrical connector wire therethrough providing an electrical connection between an external electrical source and said inner contact element; resilient means mounted in said outer casing for biasing one end of said inner contact element into said plate aperture area; and means for securing the electrical connector wire to said inner contact element wherein slidable movement of said inner contact element is limited by the extent of movement of the electrical connector wire secured to the inner contact element within the diameter of the aperture of said outer casing; a contact carrier mounted coaxial with the axis of said plate aperture area for reciprocal movement through said plate aperture; and a plurality of stationary contact members secured to said contact carrier for slidable engagement with the contact members mounted on said plate, each of said stationary contact members being positioned about the outer surface of the contact carrier for cooperative engagement with a corresponding contact member wherein electrical contact is made when the contact carrier is inserted through said plate aperture such that the respective plate and carrier contact members engage each other and electrical contact is broken when said carrier is removed from said plate aperture so as to disengage the respective contact members.
 4. An electrical switch as set forth in claim 3 in which each outer casing is formed with an axial stepped bore therethrough, said inner contact member being slidably fitted in the large bore end, and in which said resilient means is a spring mounted in each bore to act at one end against the outer casing and at the other end against the inner contact member to urge the inner contact member outward. 